The statement said: “We can confirm that one of our greatest ­magicians and entertainers of all times, Paul Daniels, has sadly been diagnosed with an ­incurable brain tumour.

Magician: Paul Daniels (Image: REX)

“On behalf of Paul, Debbie and their families, we thank you for your kind concerns and support at this sad time and ask that their privacy continues to be respected. There will be no further comments at this time.”

Paul is currently in the middle of tour around the UK called the Intimate Magic Show, but this month he has been forced to pull out of a number of shows.

That's magic

He is next due to perform at Gloucester Guildhall, Gloucester on March 24. It is not clear yet if this and others will be going ahead.

He is one of Britain’s best loved magicians and television performers, becoming an international sensation when his TV show The Paul Daniels Magic Show ran on the BBC from 1979 to 1994.